“Hi,” I said, entering the suite. I ran over to Jay at the dining table and kissed his cheek. Butterflies filled my insides but I did my best to seem calm and natural on the outside.
“Hey, where have you been hiding all day?”
“Oh, I’d made another spa appointment yesterday and hadn’t realized the time earlier. I had to rush off to make it in time. I should have…”
“Stop babbling.” I pursed my lips. I always babbled when I’m nervous.
Jay pulled me into his lap and twisted my body so I was facing his laptop.
“I’m not keeping secrets from you, have a look.” He fanned his hand across the keyboard. I jittered on his lap, mortified.
“Go ahead, look at whatever you want.” His voice was becoming more tense.
I put my finger on the touch pad and clicked around. I wasn’t familiar with his computer, so clicked on the browser, Excel. Jay pushed my hand out of the way.
“Let me show you.” He clicked into Outlook and opened an email.
You need to pay James, or else this is coming out and the entire world will know.
“You need to go to the police.”
“No.” I flinched at the force in his voice. “I told you, I can’t. They’ve set it up to implicate me in the embezzlement.”
“But you must, the longer you wait the worse you’ll look. And they’re going to keep doing this forever, they’ll always want more money.”
He slammed the lid shut. “You think I don’t realize that?”
“The only way to stop them is to go to the police and put them in jail.” I want Calvin to go to jail so bad.
“Abbie, that’s not going to happen.” He pushed me off his lap and stood to leave the room.
“Don’t walk away. We can figure this out together. As a team.” I walked to him and wrapped my arms around his waist. “As a married partnership.”
“There’s nothing you can do to help, it’s something I have to deal with.”
“But why? I know Calvin better than you. I know what pushes his buttons.” Jay patted my back.
“Don’t worry about it, I’ll handle this.” He placed his hands on my shoulders and broke free of my embrace.
“You told me this morning that you didn’t care about the money, what’s it about then?” My cheeks burned with adrenaline. I’d found the courage to ask.
Jay stood motionless in front of me, his nostrils flaring. I had to put my hand on the wall to steady myself as I waited for his response. I kept trying to reach his eyes, to make eye contact, but his fixed on the floor.
“What is it Jay, what are you hiding from me?” My voice broke, and I struggled to keep my free hand at my side.
“I’m not.”
“Not what? Keeping secrets. How stupid do you think I am?” My heart pounded in earnest now, my voice raised. I hadn’t meant to attack him. Not the day after our wedding.
“Beautiful,” Jay stepped towards me and grabbed me into his arms. The tears rolled down my cheeks. “I love you. I would never do anything to hurt you. You have to remember that.”
“So you are hiding something from me.” My voice was quiet, almost lost in his chest.
He didn’t reply, his silence implicating his guilt.
“Jay,” I said, my voice meek, “did you illegally move that money off-shore?”
“What? No. Of course not. Why would I care about moving such a small amount of money? If I’d done it I would’ve have moved a lot more than they did.”
It’s true, even though it was huge amount of money, from his point of view it wasn’t enough worth bothering with. So what was it then? How did I get it out of him? And what did I do about my marriage?
Even though I was furious at him, I let him hold me and comfort me as I cried. Why did he have to keep something from me? If he’d just be honest with me, our marriage would be perfect. Our life would be perfect.
“Beautiful, you have to understand, I'm not lying to you. I would never lie to you.” He stroked my hair, holding my head close to him.
“But you’re lying to me now.”
“I’m not lying.”
“But you’re not telling me something.”
“I can’t.”
“We can’t have secrets in a marriage, Jay. It doesn’t work like that.” I pushed my hands on him, trying to free myself of his embrace, but he held on and I couldn’t get away.
“Beautiful, you have to understand how much I love you.”
“You keep saying that, but you’re not showing it. If you loved me so much, you wouldn’t keep secrets.” Both out hearts were pounding against each other.
“You know, you’re right.” He hesitated. “But I’m scared you’ll hate me for it.”
“What is it?”
“It’s nothing that matters, nothing that impacts our relationship. I want to forget about it and go on loving you.” His voice had lost all confidence and wavered with his words.
My mind raced with possibilities. Is he running his company illegally? Is he divorced with kids? What could it be? And no matter what else he tells me, how would I know whether to believe him?
24
We sat on the private jet, in silence. Though I’m not convinced his silence was because of the same reason as my silence. My silence was from anger at being lied to. Or if not lied to, kept a secret from. His seemed to be because he was so pre-occupied with staring at his computer screen.
I was still racking my brain for any clue of what he might be hiding. And if it’s to do with whatever Calvin is blackmailing him over.
“Here, look at these spreadsheets and tell me what you think.”
His words snapped me out of my thoughts. He turned his computer toward me. Surprised, I pulled the computer onto my lap and studied the spreadsheets.
“The in-house consultant set up accounts in various tax havens around the world, the Caymans, Panama, the Isle of Mann. Then he set up an automatic transfer of funds every month, but buried it so it wouldn’t be caught. After I fired him, he lost control over the monthly transfers. Somehow Calvin, I don’t know if they knew each other before or not, got hired and made sure the transfers stayed buried.”
“But this is only showing a couple of million a month why did you say they wanted several hundred million?”
“Because that’s what they’re asking for.”
“But why? Why are they asking for that much? What could they possibly justify that with?”
“They say they’ll expose it.”
“Yeah, and? They’d just be hurting themselves. Even if you don’t want to go to the police, and just turn a blind eye to it, they’re not going to expose it because it’ll cut off their free money.”
Jay looked at me and smiled. The first relaxed smile I’d seen out of him all day. It warmed my heart. He let me in, asked my advice. We were working through this as a team.
I pushed the computer aside and leaned across the aisle to kiss him. He swiveled his chair to face me, and pulled me onto him. I straddled his lap and, cupped his cheeks and pressed my lips against his.
His lips were gentle as they pulled me into his mouth. Pulled me back to him. My body tingled with the closeness. Not only of his touch, but of the way he’d opened up to me.
Jay cradled my head, holding it against his as we kissed. Our kiss changed, from the is everything okay kiss to the frantic, hungry make up kiss. I moved my hands over his shoulders, down under his suit jacket. Squeezing his muscles any chance I could.
I moved my hips, grinding my pussy against the bulge in his suit pants. He hooked his arms around my legs and stood, carrying me down the aisle and through the door. We moved down the little passageway and through another door, where he deposited me on the jet’s bed.
Jay laughed as he took of his suit jacket and shirt. I pulled my shirt over my head and undid my pants.
“Leave something for me to take off,” Jay said as I started to undo my bra.
“Then hurry up.”
He cr
ashed onto the bed, bouncing me. I’d undone my bra, but he pulled it off my shoulders and breasts, dropping it on the bed beside my head. My tits were still covered in his bite marks, his branding, from last night.
His tongue prodded my nipples until they were standing hard at his treatment.
“God you smell good.”
“Like honey?”
He licked, from the bottom of my ribcage between my breasts and to my neck.
“Definitely honey. And sexiness.”
I moaned, my pussy clenching at the wantonness in his voice. He moved down and pulled off my pants and panties.
“Jay!” I cried out as he latched his mouth around my clit. I hadn’t been braced for it, been ready since he normally takes so long to get there.
He sucked harder, dabbing his tongue against my clit. I dug my back into the bed, trying to support myself against the intensity of the feeling between my legs.
A high pitched moaned flew from my mouth as Jay plunged his fingers into my wet pussy. He bent them against my front wall, causing bigger and louder moans to well up in my throat and rip through the plane.
“Please,” I gasped, my body writhing. Jay didn’t break his rhythm and I screeched as an orgasm smacked me, leaving me breathless as I relaxed into the bed, its waves washing over me.
He slid over my torso and kissed me, his tongue tasting of me. He pushed his cock into my pussy, still spasming in orgasm.
“I love you Beautiful.”
“I love you.”
The plane rattled as we went through some turbulence, the vibrations rippling through Jay’s cock in my pussy. He pushed into me, slow and deliberate and I savored every inch.
My pussy zinged with excitement again and I had to break our kiss, it left me unable to do anything but concentrate on it.
His thrusts got faster, firmer. He grunted, the sound setting something off within me and another orgasm crashed through me. He grunted again and climaxed into me.
We cuddled on the bed, his arm tight around me like he was afraid I’d get up and run away.
“It’s my reputation that matters most, more than money. That’s what I care about. What people think of me.”
“I love you.” I squeezed his hand. He could have told me anything right then and I wouldn’t have loved him any less.
25
You will not believe what I did this weekend!!!
I sent the text to Jenny, Sam and Marla and burst out laughing. I’d like to see them try.
Tell me!!!!!!!!!!
She was always so impatient.
No way, I’ll tell you at lunch. Meet me at noon.
I’d no sooner hit the send button when I got one back from Marla.
No, bet I won’t! When are you going to tell me???
At lunch, am meeting Jenny at noon, I’ll tell you then, be there!!!
“Abbie? Are you okay?” my co-worker Dave said, peering over the low wall dividing our cubicles.
“Yes, sorry, just a joke with my girlfriends.”
Am moving a meeting for you, this’d better be good
Don’t worry Jenny, I won’t disappoint
I still hadn’t heard anything from Sam. She’s been busy at work since she’d been promoted into my, and Calvin’s, old role.
Sam, you’d better be there! My treat
I turned my attention to sorting out the messed up reporting at this company. Now that I was married to the owner, I had an added incentive to make the place ship-shape.
Geez, you’re impatient, what’d you do, fly off to Vegas and get married or something?
I burst out laughing. In my fit of laughter I dropped my phone in the trash can and it sent a tinny bang across the open plan office.
“Sorry,” I called out, to who I’m not sure. I retrieved the phone and typed back.
Yes Sam, I went to Vegas and got married, in a see through wedding dress
Enough with the sarcasm :P
Too funny, I can’t wait to see her face when I tell her that was the truth.
Just don’t be late
My phone chimed again.
OMG ARE YOU PREGNANT?!?!?!?!rolled my eyes and ignored her.
The cafe was busy for a Monday, but I’d arrived early and save us a table for four. I hoped it wasn’t going to be too loud to have a good conversation. Though I suspected that once Sam got a look at my ring, we would be the loud table.
Jenny and Marla walked in together and I spun my ring on my finger, so they wouldn’t see the size of the rock before I told them.
“You’re glowing, what’s up?” Jenny asked, sitting at the table.
“I can’t tell until Sam is here.”
We chatted a few minutes, I was careful to keep my hands beneath the table. Even with the rock spun around, I didn’t want them to notice I had any rings on my left hand.
“You know what? I’m just going to go ahead and order for her. It’s her own fault for being late. I want to know what this mind blowing news is,” Marla said.
“Just make sure you get a regular Coke and not diet,” I said.
“Sorry I’m late, blame the last person who had my job, she left a huge mess for me to fix.”
I stuck my tongue out at Sam, my hands still fixed in my lap.
“Okay get it over with, tell us you’re pregnant,” Sam said.
“Oh my god!” Jenny and Marla said, their voices a unified squeal.
“No! I am not pregnant.”
“Then why didn’t you deny my text?”
“Because it seemed more fun to let you think that. Especially when I’d already told you the truth. And you didn’t believe me!” My voice ended in a high-pitched crescendo.
“Shut the front door. Are you serious? No, is this for real?” Sam locked onto my eyes, and I held my gaze.
“Why? What’s going on?” Jenny said.
“Yes. Tell us!”
“Jay and I got engaged this weekend.” I had to pause while they screamed. Once I had their attention again I said, “And married. In Vegas.”
Every head in the cafe turned and stared at the commotion Jenny, Sam and Marla were causing. I spun my ring around and held my hand out for them to inspect. They screamed again, probably thinking the same thing I had when I first saw it: Diamonds that big existed?
“Sorry, she just eloped,” Sam stood and announced to the cafe. We’d already had all their attention.
A red-headed woman in head to toe pink started clapping, and soon the rest of the people joined her. My cheeks burned and my eyes locked firmly on my feet. I hope to hell Sam wouldn’t say anything about the size of the ring.
Food arrived at our table, and the four of us calmed down. Sam gulped back half her drink, I’m sure her throat was sore after all that yelling.
“What was your dress like?” Marla asked.
Sam’s fork crash and rattled out of her hand, off her plate and onto the floor.
“Hold on.”
I nodded. My entire body turned red at telling a person I know, face to face.
“Stop keeping secrets from us,” Marla said.
Sam pulled up my text message and shoved her phone in front of their faces.
“See through?” Marla said, a puzzled look on her face.
“Yep,” I said, trying to sound like it’s totally normal to get married in a see-through gown.
“Does this mean you’ve finally put Matt behind you?” Jenny asked. Aside from her squealing, her silence during the conversation wasn’t lost on me.
“Screw Matt, I never want to see his face or hear his name again, for the rest of my stinking life!”
“So that’s a yes?” Sam said, and the four of us laughed.
“Jenny, I love him so much it’s almost hard to comprehend.” I needed her approval. I didn’t want her to think I’d been stupid and rushed in it. Or be mad for not being at the ceremony.
“Anyway, about this see-through dress, show us a picture,” Marla said.
“I’m not sure I want to see Abbie
nude,” Sam said.
“It’s not like that,” I protested, “you couldn’t see anything.”
“Whatever, just show us it,” Sam said.
“I’ll show you all it on Saturday at my house, for a celebration dinner.”
“You don’t have a selfie?” Jenny asked.
“I didn’t have a pocket to keep my phone in,” I said and stuck my tongue out at her.
“Can I bring Collin Saturday?” Jenny asked.
“Collin?” I asked. Was she still back with her college boyfriend? Guilt hit the pit of my stomach, I’ve been so wrapped up in myself that I’m completely out of touch with what’s going on in my best friend’s life.
“Maybe.” Jenny wasn’t giving anything up.
“Well if you’re bringing Collin then I’m bringing someone,” Sam said.
“No way! What’s he like?” I asked.
“You’ll find out Saturday.”
“Well if you two are bringing yours, who am I supposed to bring? I’m not going to be the only solo act,” Marla said.
“I’m sure you can find someone, miss lady with all the contacts,” Jenny said.
26
“Richard? Wow, Sam never told us who she was bringing. Great to see you.” He took my extended hand and shook it. The last time I’d seen him, he’d been my boss, moments before Calvin released the email to the entire company.
“We’re just friends.” Sam pointed at each and every one of us to punctuate her point.
“Hello Mr McAllister,” Richard said when Jay entered the room.
“Oh please Richard, he’s James in this house.”
“I am?”
“Yes, you are. Richard is here as Sam’s guest.”
“Hi!” Jenny and Marla said in unison as they walked into the house.
Billionaire's Secret: Exposing Jay: A Chicago Suits Romance (Loving Jay Book 2) Page 12
